Editorial: Reprieve, yes; but let's act

The Amarillo Planning and Zoning Commission has taken a reasonable step in sparing an abandoned theater building from demolition - at least for the time being.

But let's not preserve something for preservation's sake. It needs to play a role in the city's future, not stand as a relic to its past.

At issue is the Liberty Theater, built in 1915 on the 300 block of East Fourth Avenue. The building, and the property on which it stands, is owned by the city, which bought it this past fall intending to demolish the structure.

But that won't happen at least for a few more weeks, until the city can determine a suitable use for the building.

Downtown Amarillo Inc. is going to determine how a restored theater can contribute to downtown's ongoing revitalization, said Melissa Daily, executive director of DAI.

The downtown agency needs time to make that determination. But whatever plan it produces needs to be realistic and functional, not something fabricated just to preserve a building that has been determined to be uninhabitable.

It ought to be the hope of DAI, Center City and City Hall that all parties can find a suitable use for the building. A museum perhaps?

Maybe another use, such as an eating establishment, might be in order.

But with the city getting serious, finally, about downtown rejuvenation it is incumbent for downtown planners to act when the time arrives.

This delay buys some time for the old theater. Let's not keep buying more time forever, while the building continues to rot.